“Bravery of the Year” Award for National Civic Initiative 7000

The National Civic Initiative 7000 was honored with the special “Bravery of the Year” award as part of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee’s Human Rights and Advocacy Awards.

“Person of the Year” is an initiative that aims to give spotlight to organizations, individuals, and causes that made the past year better and more just. The awards were presented for the eleventh consecutive year, and this edition was also dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is being commemorated today.

A special place among the honorees was reserved for the National Civic Initiative 7000. The “Bravery of the Year” award was presented as a sign of recognition to all those who are fighting for the abolition of interdiction, “the legitimate form of modern-day slavery in Bulgaria”, so that it can remain in the past. In its place, the initiative advocates for support, legal equality, and the right to a dignified life for the more than 7,000 people in Bulgaria who are currently under or at risk of being placed under interdiction.

“It’s heartbreaking to have to legally declare your own child incompetent. You do it only because the state gives you no other option,” said Maria Nedyalkova.

But there is an alternative – and for years, practices offering real, working solutions have been developing in Bulgaria. These practices have changed hundreds of lives, especially for the people with intellectual and mental health conditions, their families and loved ones, the professionals working with them, and ordinary citizens. The support of 12,000 active citizens through the initiative marks an important step forward.

“Let next year be the year we see the beginning of a new law – the Law on Natural Persons and Support Measures, which will abolish interdiction and introduce alternatives,” urged Kremena Stoyanova.

The grand prize was awarded to the Protesting Parents of People with Disabilities, in recognition of their efforts to bring about systemic change in how the state addresses the specific needs of people with disabilities. See who else was honored in this year’s awards.